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Dominik Szoboszlai was crucial in protecting Mohamed Salah as it took more than a minute and a half to award Liverpool their penalty against Everton.
With 71 minutes and 49 seconds remaining at Anfield, the ball struck Everton defender Michael Keane’s arm, setting off an audible roar from the Kop.
After consulting VAR, the referee Craig Pawson was told to proceed to the pitchside monitor, and his choice was confirmed 73 minutes and 21 seconds later.
With the score at 0-0, the players had to endure a torturous wait before Salah was able to step up and put Liverpool in front.
Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk worked together to make sure there was no foul play surrounding Salah or the penalty area before he could take it, as was frequently the case with Jordan Henderson in years past.
Before the Egyptian could gain a position, the No. 8 quickly seized the ball and clung onto it as Van Dijk prevented any encirclement of the official and then Salah.
Szoboszlai stated to LFCTV, “To be honest, I saw it from behind so I was probably 95% sure that it was going to be a penalty.”
“I simply held the ball to prevent theft, and Virg remained nearby to guard the penalty spot. We work as a unit.
Salah’s performance was far from stellar, as Jurgen Klopp himself acknowledged, yet he still managed to score twice in the Merseyside derby.
Szoboszlai insisted that scoring a goal was the only thing that mattered, and as a result, he surpassed Steven Gerrard and Kenny Dalglish on the list of all-time Anfield goal scorers.
When it was suggested that Salah’s performance wasn’t his greatest, he responded, “You cannot always have a good day,” in a bemused manner.
But ultimately, if you score two, this is our responsibility.
He misplaced some balls, but we stood by him, shielded him, recovered the misplaced balls, and returned them to him.
Of course, there are times when it’s difficult, but if you close the game with two goals, everyone is thrilled.
Everton, Mohamed Salah, Liverpool vs. Everton, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Merseyside Derby
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